THE SAD death earlier this week of Mike Sinclair from an AIDS-related illness has a link with the 50th anniversary of the passing of Eric Liddell in a Japanese internment camp at Weifang in Guangdong.
Liddell was, of course, one of the two central characters in the celebrated British film Chariots of Fire from 1981. Liddell was representing Great Britain at the 1924 Olympics in Paris, but refused to run in the 100 metres on a Sunday because of his Christian beliefs. However, he ended up with a gold medal and a world record when he ran the 400 metres instead.
In Hugh Hudson's film, Liddell was played by the actor Ian Charleson, who also died of an AIDS-related illness three years ago.
And to mark the 50th anniversary of the missionary/athlete's death the Eric Liddell Foundation - which was set up in 1990 to build sporting and educational links between Hong Kong, China and the UK - will award Ian Charleson Cup to the most outstanding athlete at its annual games which will be held in Weifang this year.
